Bay Area rap artists are now 2-for-2 on the season when it comes to 49ers-inspired tracks.

First was Bailey’s “Who’s Got It Better”, which sampled coach Jim Harbaugh blaring throughout. Now we offer you Ashkon‘s “Niners in Paris”, which, basically, if you like Jay-Z and Kanye West, and you’re a 49ers fan, there’s no way you won’t instantly start bobbing your head.

As a side note, the choice of sampling Jay-Z is a bit curious, being that he’s from New York. Perhaps this is a dig at the Giants ahead of the NFC Championship Game?

In any event, Niners fans should like Ashkon getting involved in the Niners craze. The last time he made a tune about a San Francisco team in the playoffs, the Giants went on to win the 2010 World Series.

When he scorched playing fields during his days with the Tennessee Titans, Eddie George found himself plotted against by NFL defenses from east to west.

His football career is long over, but George once again is a prime target as he steps into the sandals of Julius Caesar in The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s production of the famed play by the same name.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back, who made his stage debut five years ago in a production of “God’s Trombones,” aims to be seen through new eyes in the setting of ancient Rome.

“I hope that the performance will have enough integrity that you won’t just have a football player up there, but instead, a man (Caesar) who has accomplished a lot and is in the midst of transition, dealing with his own issues,” George told the Tennessean this month. “It’s fear versus confidence, the whole array of emotions going through him as a human being.”

Denice Hicks, the festival’s artistic director, was instantly impressed by “how dedicated (George) is to the craft of acting,” and his performance has been lauded by those who worked alongside him through rehearsals.

Less generous was NFL.com’s Henry Hodgson, our resident Brit and a former student of Shakespearian theater, who gave the above preview a chilly response, labeling it “hamtastic.” Around the League blogger Dan Hanzus awarded it a thumbs up, asking for one tweak: That George adopt “Edward” as his first name, at least during the show’s run, as it’s near impossible to take seriously a thespian floating around town as “Eddie.”

“Julius Caesar” runs from January 12-29 at the Troutt Theater at Belmont University in Nashville.

Two developing headaches for every college football program in the land, save for one:

(1) Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders has a son, Barry Jr.

(2) Barry Jr. plays football. He looks every bit as dangerous as Daddy. And he’s going to Stanford.

Some wondered if Junior would follow in his father’s footsteps and choose Oklahoma State, but that is not to be.

“I’m going to play on The Farm the next fo — the next few years,” Barry Jr. told KNTV-TV on Saturday, carefully sidestepping a four-year commitment in Palo Alto.

“I’m proud of the man BJ is becoming and the choices he is making on his own,” Barry Sr. said in a statement Saturday. “I’m excited for the opportunity he has earned to continue to grow at Stanford in both education and athletics.”

Barry Jr. is a powerful curiosity because of his father’s dazzling career with the Lions, but after leading Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City (Wes Welker‘s alma mater) to the state title as a freshman, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has worked to forge his own path — often right through opposing defenses. Take for example, his outrageous outing against a bewildered Bethany High team in October (check out the video above, with Barry Jr. wearing No. 26).

“It’s almost like he cuts midair,” Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogertsaid in September. “He has the ability to change directions that most people don’t.”

One day after he was fired as Rams coach, Steve Spagnuolo released a statement thanking the organization. Spagnuolo was dismissed after posting a 10-38 record in three seasons.

“I want to first thank every player and coach for their work ethic, character and loyalty throughout our three years together,” Spagnuolo said. “I know each one of us firmly believes a solid foundation has been built and although not all of us will be here to experience it, this foundation will propel the team to great success in the near future.

“I also want to thank Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez and Stan Kroenke for their decision to bring me here three years ago. I truly appreciate the opportunity they gave me.

“I want to pass along deep gratitude toward every Rams employee for their ‘behind the scenes efforts and loyalty’ and for embracing Maria and I throughout our time here.

“I want to thank every Rams fan for their passionate support. I apologize for not bringing enough success for them to enjoy this past season. You deserve more!

“It has been a privilege and an honor to represent this franchise as its head coach and I wish nothing but success for the organization going forward. I will always pull for the Rams. Maria and I feel blessed to have been a part of this city and we’ll continue to have caring hearts for the people of St. Louis. God Bless.”

Brian Billick and Dennis Green break down the final week of the regular season, including the tension in New York and the Cowboys’ collapse. Plus, hear who the coaches believe will come out on top on Wild Card Weekend.

The song is completely dominated by Harbaugh’s “Who’s got it better than us?” locker-room sound byte, which is a family motto he’s used all season to inspire the team. Lay it over a smooth rap beat with some lyrics inspired by the 49ers’ resurgence in 2011, and you have an anthem that fans in San Francisco are sure to rally around through the playoffs.

Think you have it all figured out when it comes to where all 12 playoff teams will be seeded after Week 17? So did we until our crack research department came up with this handy-dandy guide to Week 17 and how the results for each playoff-implicated game could alter the structure of the postseason.

Think you have it all figured out when it comes to where all 12 playoff teams will be seeded after Week 17? So did we until our crack research department came up with this handy-dandy guide to Week 17 and how the results for each playoff-implicated game could alter the structure of the postseason.

On the one hand, there are only three out of 12 playoff spots still up for grabs heading into the final week of the regular season. On the other hand, there are so many possibilities in terms on a) who gets those three spots; and b) where teams fall in the seeding. Here are the playoff scenarios heading into Sunday:

The Cowboys-Giants battle for the NFC East title will be shown in prime time next Sunday, the NFL announced.

As part of the league’s flex scheduling, the game was moved from 1 p.m. ET on FOX to 8:20 p.m. on NBC.

Other changes in the Week 17 schedule are as follows:

Buccaneers-Falcons moves to 4:15 p.m. ET on FOX.

Ravens-Bengals moves to 4:15 p.m. ET on CBS. The Ravens have clinched a playoff berth. They can claim the AFC North and a first-round playoff bye with a win over Cincinnati, while the Bengals can clinch the AFC’s No. 6 seed with a win.

Steelers-Browns moves to 4:15 p.m. ET on CBS. Pittsburgh can win the AFC North with a win over Cleveland and a Cincinnati victory over Baltimore.

The Broncos (8-7) will win the division if:
• They beat the Chiefs next week.
• Even if the Broncos and Raiders both finish 9-7, Denver would own the tiebreaker based on common games.

The Raiders (8-7) will win the division if:
• They beat the Chargers next week and the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.
• Oakland doesn’t own any tiebreakers over Denver, so it needs to win the division based on overall record.